Rotary Cutter Which Rotary Cutter ?

[BRMyers]

Thanks again, all. Right now I'm leaning towards the Kioti (Woods) unit. It's the only one on my list with the slip clutch, and it's at a dealer very close to me.

The owner's manual for this unit recommends operating it at "2 - 5 mph.". I have no idea how fast that is. I typically run my finish mower in mid-range, 2. How does that equate?

Also, is there any issue with cutting with these units in reverse? I'd like to cut a couple of turn arounds in my walking paths, which would require backing into the area.

On mine, 2MPH is running in low (low goes up to about 3.5MPH and medium is 7MPH) and 5MPH is running in medium. IN my owners manual ii has a page that has all the speed info.

 

[nybirdman]

I have a 5ft.Bush-Hog branded medium duty I purchased new;shear bolt ,medium duty with at least 1,000 hours on it.Looks rough now but still used and has held up well.I also purchased a 6' LandPride for our bigger tractor(medium duty) ,it has a slip clutch and I service every spring.Maybe 300 hours on it and it also has held up well.
On yours a 5ft cutter should be about right.

 

[Welshman]

I did find the info in my tractor manual. Med. range, 3 is about 5 mph. I'm good.

 

[Liquidsilver]

I have a slip clutch on my 10-foot cutter, but a shear bolt on my 6-foot.

I do have to replace the bolts from time to time, but for my smaller cutter that I use around the edges and in tight-spots, I think I prefer it. Once I got a log jammed between the blade carrier and the deck and with the slip clutch, that thing would have sat there screaming until I got the PTO turned off. With the bolt, I just lifted it, cleared it and threw in a new pin.

 

[canadianstrom]

I've wasted more time and money on PTO clutches than shear bolts. If the area has been cut before (ie the offending obstacles are mostly dealt with) there should be few reasons for bolts to shear. If you keep spare bolts and tools with you its a quick job . The strength of the deck , trailing wheel are more important to me.

 

[Shaneard]

I've wasted more time and money on PTO clutches than shear bolts. If the area has been cut before (ie the offending obstacles are mostly dealt with) there should be few reasons for bolts to shear. If you keep spare bolts and tools with you its a quick job . The strength of the deck , trailing wheel are more important to me.

What has gone wrong with your slip clutches? My dad has one that sits outside and he uses it a lot and hasn’t given any trouble in 25 years. I’ve got one sitting outside on a Woods bush hog and had zero issues as well. We had a 5 footer growing up with a shear bolt and it was a pain.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

My dad has one that sits outside and he uses it a lot and hasn’t given any trouble in 25 years. I’ve got one sitting outside on a Woods bush hog and had zero issues as well. We had a 5 footer growing up with a shear bolt and it was a pain.

I agree with you! BUT, I also agree "IF" the OP is only going to cut --------> his own land in the "same spots" over and over, he can get along with a shear bolt fairly easily...

SR

 

[Molalla1]

I agree with you! BUT, I also agree "IF" the OP is only going to cut --------> his own land in the "same spots" over and over, he can get along with a shear bolt fairly easily...

SR

SR . . . that is the bottom line, you know your land.

 

[Shaneard]

I made a metal guard to cover the clutch in place of the broken plastic one. There’s a small door on each side so I can access the bolt that holds the clutch to the shaft.

 

[TerryR]

SR . . . that is the bottom line, you know your land.

I just sold a Bush Hog light duty cutter that I bought new over 20 years ago. It had a slip clutch, but I don't remember ever servicing it. But, I cut only the same field I've been cutting for all that time, so the fact that was no doubt frozen was never a problem.